John 20:24ff Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus knew that his resurrection from the dead would be difficult for many to accept, even those closest to him. Christians who believe firmly in the resurrection need to make allowances for the doubting Thomases in this life, whether we find them in the church or out in the world. After all, Jesus went out of his way to convince Thomas to believe in him because, as John the apostle says, these things were written that we might believe and that by believing we may 'have life in his name.' Our role as Christians is not to denigrate those who doubt, but earnestly try to convince them that they too might be saved. Those of us who have never seen Christ, yet believe in the resurrection have been blessed with faith which comes from the Holy Spirit, and through that faith we have the assurance of eternal life. Come and hear more this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.